What is a Deadweight Tonnage (DWT) in E-commerce?
Deadweight Tonnage (DWT) measures a ship’s carrying capacity expressed in metric tonnes (1 metric tonne = 1,000 kilograms). It is the maximum weight a ship can safely carry, including the weight of the ship itself, cargo, fuel, water, passengers, and crew. The higher the DWT, the more orders and customers the platform can handle without slowing down or crashing.
Significance of Deadweight Tonnage (DWT) in E-commerce Logistics
Deadweight tonnage is a measure of a ship’s carrying capacity. It determines the amount of cargo a vessel can safely carry and the amount of fuel and supplies needed to power the ship. Knowing the DWT of a ship helps logistics companies determine how much cargo it can transport, as well as how much fuel it needs to move the cargo.
Additionally, the DWT can determine the size and type of vessel best suited for a particular shipment. This information is essential for optimizing the shipping process and maximizing cost savings.
Prerequisites to Calculate Deadweight Tonnage (DWT) and How It Works
The prerequisites to calculate DWT include –
- The weight and volume of a vessel are essential for calculating the deadweight tonnage. Companies can obtain this information from the ship’s technical specifications or the ship’s classification society.
- The cargo amount that can be loaded onto the ship, including containers, fuel, lubricants, food, water and other supplies.
- Crew and passenger capacity of the vessel
- Displacement weight of the vessel
Use Case With Deadweight Tonnage (DWT)
If a stated margin for a ship is agreed for 100,000 – 110,000 metric tonnes, it is determined that cargo should be loaded within the preferred weight only.
